Be Wise and Be Careful
The most intriguing period of David’s life, to me, is from when Samuel anointed David as the next king and the time he actually became king. In the meantime, Saul was king, and he didn’t know that David was going to replace him. But we know.
What happened in that interim period …. Consider it one of the “testimonies of the Lord.” That is, the Scriptures we read that show us how situations are handled that we can learn from. David himself said the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Ps.19:7b)
First, we read how David killed Goliath after he first became the king in waiting, unbeknownst to Saul. The Goliath show impressed Saul so immensely that he didn’t let David go home to his father. (1 Sam 18) Saul thought that David obviously belonged in the palace with him. Te he.
And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. (1 Sam 18:5)
The quality of David’s life for today is that he behaved himself wisely, and other people noticed. Is that something that can be said about me? There’s a lot to be said for behaving wisely. Other ways I could behave are emotionally, selfishly, greedily, foolishly, etc. To walk wisely is to have insight and comprehension and then walk calmly, the way I should. I want that.
The Proverbs 31 woman behaves wisely. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Prov. 31:26) Honestly, I read Prov. 31, and I think, “There’s no way I’m like that.” She brings food from afar; she gets up early (while it’s still night!) and gives food to her household; she sews; she shops (for real estate!). I’m doing good if I just clean the house. I’m a little jealous of this model woman.
That brings me to another point about the characteristic of David we’re looking at today (He behaved himself wisely, and other people noticed). Yes, it would be nice to be like that, but sometimes people get jealous of those who behave wisely. So if I’m going to be wise, I’m going to have to understand that I’ll need that wisdom to deal with the people who can’t deal with me being wise.
And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. (1 Sam. 18:14-16)
Some loved and followed David because they could see he was wise. But Saul was afraid of him and was jealous of him (1 Sam 18:8). His jealousy led him to extremes.
All I’m saying is, yes, be wise, but be careful. Not everyone can deal with wise people. So, here’s something to pray back to God, if that’s the case: When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Prov. 16:7)